Joint pain can cause severe damage to your bones and surrounding tissues, and it tends to get worse without proper treatment. At Injury and Health Institute in San Antonio, Texas, board-certified family medicine specialist Melissa Kempf, MD, and the team deliver lasting relief from joint pain with anti-inflammatory injections. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to find out how joint injections can alleviate your pain. 

What are joint injections?

Joint injections deliver pain medication directly into a damaged joint. Joints are where two connecting bones meet. They provide flexibility, allowing you to walk, bend, and shift weight. Movement isn’t possible without joints. 

If your joints break down, certain movements can be painful. Injections can help improve your joint function by reducing inflammation and relieving pain.

Are there different types of joint injections?

Injury and Health Institute offers two effective types of joint injections:

Corticosteroid injections

Corticosteroid injections contain anti-inflammatory medications and anesthetics. These components work together to reduce inflammation and numb pain.

PRP injections

PRP, or platelet-rich plasma, is the portion of your blood that contains proteins and growth factors. When injected into a damaged joint, PRP can help stimulate healing.

After a comprehensive evaluation, the team can determine which type of injection is appropriate for your condition.

What can I expect from corticosteroid injections?

Corticosteroid injections require no preparation. When you arrive, the team may apply a topical numbing cream to improve your comfort. Next, they inject the medication directly into the painful joint. You may feel immediate relief after the procedure. The anesthetic delivers a temporary numbing effect that usually wears off within a few hours.

Soreness and discomfort are expected side effects of corticosteroid injections. Joint function should improve within three days*.

What can I expect from PRP injections?

PRP injections use substances in your blood to accelerate healing. The team draws your blood and places it in a centrifuge to separate the PRP. Once they have the highest concentration, the team injects it into your joint. You may feel soreness and tenderness for up to one week after the injection. Your range of motion typically increases within two weeks*. 

The team usually recommends a series of injections, spaced out a few weeks, to achieve lasting relief from joint pain.

How long does it take to feel relief after joint injections?

Corticosteroid injections usually provide relief within one to two weeks and last for up to two months*. PRP therapy can take up to six months to feel its full effects, but relief can last for more than nine months*. 

Call Injury and Health Institute today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about joint injections.

*Individual results may vary